Operating mechanism for elevator-hatchway doors.



H. ROWNTREE.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ELEVATOR HATCHWAY DOORS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 8, 1912.

1,172,562. Patented Feb. 22,1916.

UNITED STATES PATENT onnron.

HAROLD ROWNTR-EE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL PNEUMATIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

' 1 -OPERATING- MECHANISM FOR ELEVATOR-HATCHWAY DOORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916..

Application filed March 8, 1912. Serial No. 682,525.

a folding door arrangement for elevator hatchways and mechanism for operating the doors into folded or open position or Into distended or closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a-construction of elevator hatchway door operating mechanism which is simple, efficient and capable of being easily and readily controlled.

Other objectsof the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The-invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangements of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawing, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, and to the various views and reference signs appearing thereon, Figure l is a view in front elevation, parts broken out, showing a construction of elevator hatchway door and operating mechanism therefor embodying the principles ofmy invention, the door panels being actuated by motor mechanism. Fig. '2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing nlilanaially operated mechanism for moving t e tion on the line 3, 3, Fig. 1, looking in-the direction of the arrows.

The same part is designated by the same reference sign'wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In the construction of elevator hatchways, it is desirable to provide as wide a door opening therein as practical. Where sliding or swinging doors are employed a large part of the available space in front of the elevator hatchway which would otherwise be available as an entry way or passage through the doorway ofthe hatchway, into or out of the elevator car, is very materially gccupied bythe portions or sections of the oor.

oors. Big. 3 is a view in. vertical sec- In accordance with the principles of my invention, I propose to employ doors composed of foldable sections or panels hinged together and suitably pivoted within the doorway of the hatch, and preferably at opposite sides of the doorway. I also provide means for operating the door panels or seetions so as to fold the same upon each other,

in opening and to distend the same into line. with each otherto close the same.

In accordance with the broad principles of my invention, I propose to employ means for operating the door panels or sections in unison. That is to say, in car'ryingout my invention, and in the particular embodiment thereof shown in the drawing, I employ for each doorway of the hatch, two door sections, each door section comprising two panels hinged together at their proximate edges, the outer panel of each section being mounted orcarried upon ball bearing or other form of hinges or pintles, whereby the door'sections may be rocked or swung, the outermost panel of each door section carried upon ball hearing or other form of pivot pintles at its upper and lower outer corners respectively. Upon these pivot pintles this outer panel of the door section. will swing orrock into and out of open position. Each of the inner panels is hinged to the inner edge of the cooperating outer panel.

While I have shown the door sections composed of only two hinged panels, it isto be understood that my invention, as defined in the claims, is not to be limited-or restricted in this respect. I

In accordance with the principles of my invention, I propose to provide connections whereby the two outermost panels ofthe. door sections are simultaneously rocked or swung in opposite directions. The intermediate connections for securing the'simultaneous, movement of the outermost door panels of the door sections, is preferably located within a channel or chamber above the doors. The operating mechanisms or connections may be controlled and operated either manually or by power devices. In Fig. 1, I have shown power mechanism for this purpose, whereas in Fig. 2, I have shown manually operated devices for accomplishing the operation and actuation of the doors. Whether manual devices or power devices are employed for operating the door panels or sections, the control of such connections crank and mechanism may be effected in any suit able or convenient manner and preferably from a point adjacent the door sections or panels, Suitable control handles may be employed for this purpose.

Referring to the drawings, and particu larly to Fig. 1, I have shown the door as composed of two sections, each comprising the panels A, B. The panel B constitutes the outermost panel of each door section, and each outermost panel B, carries ball hearings or other form of pivot pintles C, D, respectively at its upper and lower outermost corners and in vertical line with each other. The pintle D, comprises a point or projection carried by plate E secured to the lower outer corner of the panel and is fitted into a seat or socket suitably let into or formed in the floor of the hatch doorway. The upper pintle 0r pivot C, is in the form of a pointed screw adjustably mounted and locked in a convenient fixed part F, attached to or carried by the frame work above the doorway, the point of the screw being fitted or received in a seat formed in a bracket G, H, carried by the uppermost outer corner of the door panel B. This arrangement affords a most convenient construction for assembling and erecting the door panels or door sections. The casting G, H, may be conveniently, easily and economi .-cally made and applied by bolting or otherwise securing it to the uppermost corner of the door panel B.

Each of the castings G, H, at its upper end, is provided with an arm K, in the nature of a crank arm. To these crank arms K are connected rods L, M, the actuation of which eflects the rocking of the panels B about itspintles. y from the outermost corners of the opposite door panels B, toward each other, and at their proximate ends are connected to opposite ends of a lever N, which is pivoted intermediate its ends as at 0. By rocking the lever N, the two rods L, M, are simultaneously projected in opposite directions with reference to each other. The rod L, connected to the crank arm K, of casting H, rocks the left hand door panel B, while the rod M, projected arm K, of the casting Gr thereby rocking the right hand panel B, of the door section on the opposite side of the doorway.

As above indicated either power mocha nism or manually operated mechanism may be employed for operating the doors. That is to say, either motor or manual connection may be employed for rocking the lever N. In Fig. 1 power mechanism is shown for this purpose. The power mechanism in this instance comprises the two difierentially sized cylinders P, Q, having a common piston rod R carrying a cross head S. This cross head S, is connected to the lever N, to rock The rods L, M, extend v in the opposite direction, rocks the.

the same when the piston rod R is shifted in one direction or the other. A conveniently arranged valve mechanism indicated at T,

may be employed for controlling the supply rives at or opposite the landing at which;

the door mechanism is located and is to be operated. v

The operation is very simple. When an elevator car arrives opposite a landing the elevator attendant manipulates the bell crank control lever B, thereby actuating the valve mechanism T, through the rod A. This controls the supply and exhaust of operating medium to the motor mechanism, thereby causing the piston rod B, to be shifted in one direction or the other, consequently rocking leverN. As shown in Fig. 1, the lever N, is in the position which it occupies when the door panels are distended into line witheach other, that is for instance, with the doors closed. Now, by manipulating the control handle B, to supply operating medium to the motor, the lever N is rocked so'as to move the rods L, M, outwardly or away from each other. This movement of the rods L, M, causes the ,cast- At the upper inner corners of the panel A,

are providedsuitable guide devices ,indi cated at D, Fig. -1. These are in the form of rollers, or other engaging devices, secured to the uppermost inner corners of the panels A and which engage within a track or way formed by the plates E. (See Fig. 3.) This arrangement afi'ords an .efiicient guide for the inner edges of the panels A, during the swinging movement of the panels B, therebycausing the panels A to be moved into collapsed relation upon or in folded position upon the outer panels B, thereby opening the doorway. A reverse movement of the control lever B, causes the panels B to be rocked orswung simultaneously. in the opposite direction thereby causing the panels A, to correspondingly move into opposite direction so as to become distended Referring now to Fig. 2 the lever N, pivoted intermediate its ends at O, is connected at its ends to the respective proximate ends of rods L, M, the outer ends of said rods being connected, respectively, to the crank arms, K, of the castings G, H. Also connected to the lever N, is a rod F, which, at its other end, is connected to one arm of a bell crank lever G, to the other arm of which is connected one end of a swinging rod T, the end of said swinging rod being pivotally connected to an arm T, of a control lever' B, said control lever being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends as indicated atF. By suitably rocking the control lever B it will be observed that the lever N, is manually actuated to rock or swing the door panels B, A, into open and closed positions, thereby effecting the manual operation of the doors. If desired, and in order toafford means for look ing the door panels in their open or closed position, I employ a bent portion, indicated at A in rod T adapted to permit said rod to pass beyond the dead center relation thereof when the lever B, is rocked or swung, as will be readily understood, thus afi'ording a convenient lock to retain the door sections closed or opened, as the case may be. In other respects the construction and arrangement shown in Fig. 2, and the mode of operation thereof, remains the same as above described with reference to the construction and arrangement shown in Fig. 1. I

In practice I prefer to employ a hatchway inclosure frame work comprising side post B C respectively arranged on opposite sides of the doorway where the doors,

sections or panels A, B, are to be employed. A convenient arrangement is shown wherein these vertical side posts of the framing are inthe form of sheet metal stamped .out and suitably ornamented, to form channel posts ormembers. The operating rod A, for instance, (Fig. l,or E, Fig. 2) together with the control levers T, B, being located within the channels or, chambers of said side posts. Similarly I propose to employ a panel member D of sheet metal, and to arrange the same transversely across the space between the side posts B C over or above thedoorway. Within the channel or chamber of this horizontal member D I propose to locate the operating levers, N, N, and the connections L, L, M, M, for

operating the doors or door panels. In case, of the power operated mechanism I also propose to locate the motor mechanism within this channel. If desired, .a cover hinged or otherwise connected to the hatch way framing and'indicated at E may be employed for inclosing the mechanisms or connections within the chamber ofpanel D In practice I- prefer to arrange the inner surfaces of the door panels, when closed, to be in vertical line with the paneling or framing above and below the doorway, and with the inner edge or surface of the floor members, or beams, both above and below the doorway,as clearly indicated in Fig. 3, thus affording a flush surface presented toward the path of travel of the elevator car.

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention, and various constructions' embodying the principles thereof, what I claim asnew and useful, and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,-

1. An elevator hatchway frame having a doorway, in combination with a door composed of panels hinged together, at their meeting edges, a pivot pintle carried by the outer panel at its lower outer corner, a casting carried by said outer panel at its upper outer corner, a pivot screw engaging said casting in vertical line with the lower pivot pintle, means for rocking said panel about its pivots, and means for guiding the hinged panel.

2. An elevator hatchway frame having a doorway, in combination with a door composed of panels hinged together, a pivot pintle carried by the outer panel at its lower outer corner, a pivot seat for said pintle, a casting carried by said outer panel at its upper outer corner, said casting having a crank arm, a pivot screw arranged in vertical line with the pintle and engaging said casting, means engaging said crank arm for rocking said panel about its pintle axes, and means for guiding the hinged panel.

3. An elevator hatchway having a doorway, a door therefor comprising panels arranged at opposite sides thereof, said panels having pivot pintles at their lower outermost corners, castings connected to the upper outermost corners of said panels, pivot screws in vertical line with the pivot pintles and engaging said castings, said castings having crank arms, connections. intermediate said crank arms, whereby said outer panels rock or, swing together, and additional panels hinged to said pivoted panels, and means for guiding said hinged panels.

4. An elevator hatchway frame having a doorway, a panel arranged abovethe doorway in the frame and forming'a chamber, a door for the doorway, comprising panelsarranged at opposite sides thereof, said panels having pivot pintles 'at their lower outer corners, pivot seats for said pintles,

within said chamber, rods connecting the ends of said lever to said crank arms at opposite sides thereof, means for rocking said lever, additional panels hinged to the pivoted panels, and means for guiding said hinged panels.

5. An elevator hatchway frame having a doorway, posts arranged on opposite sides of said doorway, a panel arranged above said doorway, to form a chamber, a door for the doorway comprising panels arranged at opposite sides thereof, said panels having pivot pintles at their lower outermost corners, pivot seats for said pintles, castings connected to the uppermost outer corners of said panels, pivot screws arranged in vertical line with. said pintles and engaging seats in said castings, said castings having crank arms presented in opposite directions with reference to each other, a pivoted lever arranged vithin said chamber, rods connecting the ends of said levers to said crank arms respectively, whereby said crank arms and their connected or associated door panels are simultaneously rocked or moved in opposite directions when said lever is rocked, means connected to said lever for rocking the ame, and. means arranged within a side post of the frame for controlling the operation of said lever.

6. An elevator hatchway frame having a doorway, side posts arranged on opposite sides of said doorway, a panel arranged above said doorway and forminga chamber, a door for the doorway comprising panels arranged at opposite sides thereof, said panels having pivot pintles at the lower outermost corners thereof, pivot seats for said pintles, castings carried by the uppermost outer corners of said panels, pivot screws arranged in vertical line with said pintles and engaging seats in said castings, crank arms carried by said castings and re spectively presenting in opposite directions masses with reference to each other, a motor arranged Within said chamber and connected to said crank arms, and means for controling said motor, whereby said door panels are rocked or swung in opposite directions simultaneously, additional panels hinged to saidpivoted panels, and means for guiding said hinged panels.

7. An elevator hatchway frame having a doorway, posts arranged on. opposite sides thereof, a panel arranged above the doorway to form a chamber, a door for the doorway comprising panels arranged at opposite sides thereof, said panels having pivot pintles at their lower outermost corners, pivot seats for said pintles, a casting connected to the upper outermost corner of each of said panels, pivot screws arranged in vertical line with said pintles and engaginn seats in said castings, crank arms carried by said castings, and presenting in opposite directions with respect to each other, a power motor located within said chamber and connected to said crank arms, whereby when said motor is operated said panels are rocked or swung simultaneously in opposite directions. means for controlling said motor, said means located within a side post of the doorway, additional panels hinged to said pivoted panels, and means for guiding said additional panels.

in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the subscribing witnesses, on this 20 day of February ll, 1912.

HAROLD RGl VNTREE. Witnesses:

W. HowELL,

H. Jorrnsorv, L. M. SHIELDS. 

